Alicaway murder CPPO sees no need to create task force

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Edgar Alan Okubo said that the investigation into the death of incumbent San Fernando municipal councilor Alexander Alicaway still lies with the town’s PNP unit.

Okubo said that they do not have plans yet of creating a task group, but he assured that the CPPO will continue to monitor and assist San Fernando PNP in the investigation.

"So far, sa ngayon ay wala pa. We leave it first to the discretion of the Chief of police and his policemen.  Tingnan natin kung kaya nila. But we are assisting and monitoring.  Once medyo mahirapan, the province will help. A task force will be organized for them," said Okubo.

Alicaway was shot dead by two unidentified assailants on board a motorcycle who wore bonnets in Barangay South Poblacion on Wednesday afternoon.

Alicaway sustained two gunshot wounds to his head, which resulted to his instantaneous death.

He added that the police are now looking at his work as possible motive of the killing, based on the statements the police have gathered from the victim’s family, relatives, and friends.

The assailants reportedly took Alicaway's cellphone and pieces of jewelry.

"We'll check it maybe also about information na kailangan ng assailants niya. Ano ba iyung plano ni victim o baka nagustuhan ang cellphone at alahas," Okubo said.

He also clarified that Alicaway was not included on their list on government officials involved in illegal drugs and already eliminated the possibility of being drug-related as a motive.

Okubo said that there's nothing to be alarmed over the series of shooting incidents in the province, including the death of a police officer who was also shot dead in Minglanilla last Tuesday.

He said that despite the increase of the number of shooting incidents, the general crime incidents are decreasing.

However, he said that he will encourage all the station commanders of the CPPO to continue and improve police visibility in their area of responsibility.

"Because bringing out police and enhancing police visibility already eliminates one of the motives of crime. Iyon ang tinatawag nila na opportunity. Kasi suspects or assailants take the opportunity kasi walang police. So, I will remind the chief of police (COP) to check their beat patrols deployments and mobile patrol deployments," Okubo said.

He added that the San Fernando Police will also be included in the investigation, considering that the incident happened just near the station.

"If an incident transpired near the police station, it will also be investigated. Kung paano ba ang deployment sa troops niya. Iyong fastest ng pag-respond sa alarm situation," said Okubo.

Police Senior Inspector Adrian Nalua, San Fernando Police chief, said that they did not lack in providing police visibility in the area.

However, the perpetrators may have also been waiting for the right time to execute the crime, Nalua said.

"Once planned ang crime, it's hard to prevent. The assailants will look for opportunity. Besides, wala man sa'y gi-report sa amoa nga nakadawat siya og death threats," said Nalua. (FREEMAN)